About Heights High

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District opened the newly renovated Cleveland Heights High School building on August 21, 2017.

The building that originally opened in 1926 has a new look and feel. The interior is bright and features modern infrastructure for technology and efficient heating and cooling. Both the interior and exterior retains the historic feel that reminds us of our past, while embracing the students of today.

Ninety years after the building first opened, we welcome the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 knowing they will bring new life and outlook to our beloved Heights High.

Approximately 1,600 students attend the main campus of Heights High and Options Alternative High School located at the Delisle Options Center, 14780 Superior Road, corner of Taylor Road and Superior Road.

The Leadership Team

Byron Hopkins is the Administrative Principal. The four Assistant Principals are responsible for the students and faculty in a grade level and support and guide teachers in providing an excellent educational experience for students.

Heights High is a comprehensive high school. All students have access to a rigorous, engaging curriculum that will prepare for college and career.

Building Relationships

The school’s leaders, teachers and support staff understand that strong relationships between students and staff are the conduit for effective teaching and learning. The staff works hard to build trusting, respectful and positive relationships with students.

The staff also believes that students who form strong and healthy bonds with other students are happier in school and more open to learning. We strongly urge all students to join at least one after school activity to broaden their networks, learn leadership skills and experience the joy of contributing to a valued mission.

The school staff also encourages and supports the most important relationship – the bond between student and family. We are here to partner with you in support of educating and encouraging your child.

Engaging and Challenging Courses

Heights High School offers nearly 20 Advanced Placement courses, including Statistics, Psychology and Music Theory. Interesting and engaging electives are also offered, including Lessons of the Holocaust, African American Literature and Political Philosophy.

Students can earn college credit while staying on the Heights High School campus by enrolling in one of the five dual enrollment courses on the Heights High campus. These are offered through the College Credit Plus(CCP) program. These courses are taught by Heights High teachers in partnership with local colleges. Students receive both high school and college credit for the course.

Another option of the CCP program is for students to enroll in courses at local colleges and universities and earn both high school and college credit. There is no charge to the family for the CCP program.

Preparation for College

The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program offers support for students who are college-bound and are looking for ways to strengthen their organizational and academic skills. Many students in AVID will be the first in their family to go to college or want to benefit from working with tutors and the AVID focus on establishing a strong foundation for success in college and beyond.

The District is a founding member of The Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) organization that encourages and supports minority student participation in the AP and Honors courses. MSAN events include after school guest speakers, student forums and discussion panels focused on increasing minority student achievement.

Career and Technical Training

The 13 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer juniors and seniors practical, hands-on experience and certification opportunities. The daily program includes extended periods that provide in-depth instruction and time for students to learn and practice skills. Many CTE students ear industry certifications that helps them secure a job in their field.

Career Based Intervention

Career Based Intervention (CBI) is a work study program designed to give students the opportunity to complete their education, either in a Career and Technical track or academic high school program, while learning the obligations of the world of work. Local businesses cooperate to provide training in field occupations.

The Arts!

Strong arts programming is vital to the life of the school and community.

The Vocal and Instrumental Music departments offer courses and activities for entry level students and also for accomplished skilled musicians. The departments host an outstanding musical production every fall and regular performances throughout the year. Individuals and groups in the departments regularly win local, state and national awards for their performance skills.

The Theater Arts department produces an annual multi-act stage performance and a series of student directed one act plays. An active and skilled Stage Crew works behind the scenes to make the shows professional and exciting.

The Visual Arts department offers many courses to engage the novice artists as well as prepare serious artists for an art-focused education after high school. Art students regularly win awards at the Scholastic Art competition and other competitions.

Embracing Diversity

The school provides a supportive environment for students with Individualized Education Programs and values and honors the differences and diversity of our student body.

Students from other countries add to the rich fabric of our district, including those who have moved to the U.S. from other countries, seeking a better life; AFS foreign exchange students who come to Heights High to learn for an entire school year.

An Alternative High School

The Options Program is an alternative high school, located in the Delisle Center, 14780 Superior Road, at the corner of Taylor and Superior Roads that provides choices and self-paced learning opportunities for students.

Technology Supports Teaching and Learning

Chromebook laptop computer sets are used in most classrooms. Heights High uses Google Apps for Education to access homework, documents, e-mail, and classroom assignments from school, or on their own device at home.

Social and Academic Support

The Counseling Services Team (guidance counselors and social workers) provide academic, social and college going support for students.

All teachers are available in their classrooms after school for academic support. The National Honor Society hosts after school study sessions in the Media Center to help students with homework, projects and to study for tests.

The athletic teams sponsor required study tables for all athletes.

The College/Scholarship Zone includes a staff person to help students and families through the college selection and application process, including scholarship searches.

School History

Between 1901 and 1926, Cleveland Heights High School was located on the site of Boulevard Elementary School on Lee Road. In 1907, five students were in the first graduating class of Cleveland Heights High School. The current building at the corner of Cedar and Lee Roads was built in 1927 during a period of rapid growth in Cleveland’s suburbs.